SNOW HILL — Town officials in Snow Hill appear to be satisfied with next year’s proposed budget.

The commissioners made changes to the proposed 2013-14 budget in April and a public hearing was held Monday night on the updated budget with no comments or fanfare.

The board plans to approve it — likely without changes — at the June 11 meeting, according to Chairwoman Lorrine Washington and Town Administrator Dana Hill.

“It’s looking good, that’s all I can say,” Washington said about the budget after the meeting.

For employees, what may look good is a 2.5 percent cost of living raise. Elected official’s salaries are listed to remain the same as this year.

For residents, what might be good is that there are no utility rate or property tax increases.

This year, the town has a revenue neutral tax rate. The property tax is .35 per $100 of value. The value increased from more than $84.94 million this year to more than $93.04 million in the proposed budget.

The board agreed not to lower the property tax in order to ensure revenues for equipment upgrades, staff training and facility improvements.

Some fees may be adjusted, but the fee schedule was not available at press time.

The proposed budget is balanced at $853,800 in the general fund and $1,041,600 in the enterprise fund without allocating money from the fund balance, according to the budget message.

The water fund balanced at $558,735 and the sewer fund balanced at $482,865.

The Public Safety department has a proposed budget increase from $196,511 to $222,080 to allow for an additional full-time officer. This will bring the police staff to four full-time and three part-time officers.

Following a closed session, the board approved the hiring of Briant O’Briant, a former Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputy, to the police force.

The board allocated $10,000, as it did last year, to housing enforcement under the community development fund for the demolishing of unsightly and dangerous properties.

No allocations were budgeted for the clearing of 4.5 acres adjacent to the cemetery, but the budget may be amended to include it, according to the budget message.

The enterprise fund includes $44,000 for the debt payment on the automatic water meter reading system, which the town is installing on a grant/loan. However, the full amount may not be required in the 2013 fiscal year.

Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @MargaretFishr.